Julie Bishop's eight-year relationship with partner David Panton is over

Julie Bishop’s eight-year romance with her partner David Panton has come to an end.

The former foreign minister first stepped out publicly with the property developer in 2014, with the pair pictured at countless events over the years including the 2018 wedding of Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough.

The couple went to dinner on Friday night in Sydney’s CBD where Mr Panton decided the relationship had run its course, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Julie Bishop’s eight-year romance with her partner David Panton has come to an end. 

The couple went to dinner on Friday night in Sydney’s CBD where Mr Panton decided the relationship had run its course, the Sydney Morning Herald reported

‘I’m going to be focused on living in Manly and Melbourne for the foreseeable future,’ Mr Panton told the publication.

‘I wish Julie all the best in her ongoing stellar career.’ 

The pair had been together just a week ago at St James’s Palace in London, having dinner with Prince Charles for an event honouring his charity.

Mr Panton, 61, met Ms Bishop, 65, while she was the midst of her political career, serving as Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The pair maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Ms Bishop based in Perth while her partner lived in Sydney. 

Mr Panton, originally from Melbourne, previously ran a vineyard with his ex-wife and owned a pharmacy business before moving into the property development industry when he moved to the Harbour City in 2014 – around the time he met Ms Bishop.  

Ms Bishop had in 2019 told the SMH about how she fell for the property developer and their bond over their love of health and fitness.

‘I think that’s self-evident – have you seen him?’ she laughed.

Ms Bishop, 65, had in 2019 told the SMH about how she fell for the property developer and their bond over their love of health and fitness.

‘He’s a very independent-minded and successful businessman, and he has a delightful sense of humour. He makes me laugh.’

He’d been by her side as she travelled the world as the then foreign minister, and the relationship remained strong despite them being separated for seven months during Covid. 

Ms Bishop also explained why the pair had not decided to relocate to each other’s respective cities. 

‘[David and I] meet constantly, travel together and travel overseas to keep it fresh,’ she said in the interview.

‘I think long-distance relationships can be a lot of fun.’

At the time, Ms Bishop said she was thankful for FaceTime.

‘It isn’t great but it is all you can do because he can’t get in here [WA] and I can’t go there without having to get an exemption. It is very difficult but I know a lot of families have been separated in this way, it is challenging,’ she told The Daily Telegraph. 

When asked why she fell in love with the property developer, Ms Bishop told a reporter:  It’s self evident. Have you seen him?’

Speaking to the Herald Sun previously, Ms Bishop said the pair share a bond over their love of health and fitness.

‘He’s a swimmer, I’m a runner,’ she told the publication.

The couple were first pictured together at the 2014 Melbourne Cup before next stepping into the spotlight the following year in New York while Ms Bishop worked at the UN Headquarters.

Ms Bishop was previously married to Neil Gillon from 1983 to 1988.

She was later dating former Lord Mayor of Perth Peter Nattrass for at least 12 years.